Evidence proves Cowboys faced two opponents in loss to Eagles
In Week 9 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys squared off against the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a thrilling game and one that came down to the last minute to decide a winner. The question is should it have come to that? Now, I'm not a person to blame outside outcomes on the results […]
In Week 9 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys squared off against the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a thrilling game and one that came down to the last minute to decide a winner.
The question is should it have come to that?
Now, I'm not a person to blame outside outcomes on the results of games. We see a lot of fans who are quick to blame the refs and say "Oh if they would have called this one penalty, then it would be a completely different game!" While in most cases the refs did their job.
However, there are also times when they make mistakes. They are humans after all, and humans are more than capable of making mistakes. Let's look at some of the mistakes that were made tonight.
The "PI on Gilmore"
The below play was called a pass interference on Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Tell me, where was the pass interference?
The contact near the line of scrimmage was made just at the 5-yard mark which is within the contact window. Gilmore got his head turned, and when he made contact again there is more of an argument that the ball was uncatchable than it was pass interference.
Missed hands to the face on Gallup
This one had Cowboys Nation fuming.
The flag was thrown, and then it was picked up.
This is a clear and obvious hand to the face. Not sure how you can justify picking up this flag. Not throwing the flag? Maybe. Picking it up? Come on, now.
Luke Schoonmaker tackled before catching the ball
Now we get to the 4th quarter, where the calls matter even more.
This was initially ruled a touchdown, it was rightfully overturned as Schoonmaker was just short. But one key part of the play was ignored.
He was being brought down before he made contact with the ball!
This should have been a pass interference and an automatic first down, but it wasn't. Instead, it was a turnover on downs.
This play also brings in to play the catch rule. In order to for a catch to be made the player has to remain in control through contact with the ground. In this scenario, Schoonmaker was ruled down just as his knee touched the ground and before he fully survived contact with the ground.
How can he be down if the full process of a catch isn't yet complete?
Was Chuma Edoga eligible?
The Cowboys had a touchdown when they were down 28-17 until they didn't. On 1st and goal the Cowboys went with a jumbo package and checked in extra offensive linemen. Now, it is the responsibility of the offensive linemen to check in with the ref and say something along the lines of "I'm coming in" so that they can be deemed an eligible receiver."
You can see Dak Prescott pre-snap check with the ref, to make sure 71 had checked in. He must've gotten confirmation that he had because he snapped the ball.
Tony Pollard would take the handoff and then it would come back due to the offensive linemen not checking in.
The missed headshot
Yet again in the 4th quarter, this one was on the final drive of the game.
The Cowboys are driving and are looking to have a real chance to come away with a win. Dak Prescott takes a sack and one that would likely be called a penalty in most cases.
You can see in this clip, Dak is going down and then as he is on the verge of touching the grass takes a shot to the upper body in the head/neck area.
Now is there an argument that he wasn't completely down?
Sure, but tell me how many times have we seen the NFL go out of its way to protect the QBs?
This is more of a consistency gripe, I feel like half of the QBs in the NFL will get this call and half won't.
The Cowboys were unfortunately on the unlucky side tonight.
This isn't an article solely blaming the refs for the loss.
There were missed calls on both sides and when it came down to it, the Cowboys still had a chance to win the game! Things just didn't go in their favor.
Rather this is an article fighting for refs to be held accountable because ultimately they do play a factor in the outcome of games, whether they intend to or not.
Cowboys Recap: Starter might’ve been benched in loss to Eagles
Heartbreaking one.
